Christian Doula Pregnancy & Birth Services in Asheville, and Western North Carolina…

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Red raspberry leaf is a herb that is used medicinally for thousands of years. Raspberry leaf has been used by indigenous cultures in Australia for thousands of years. In the 1940s, western medicine practitioners began to use it as a tonic for the uterus during pregnancy and childbirth.

Benefits Of Red Raspberry Leaf

Red raspberry leaves contains a rich assortment of vitamins including Vitamin B complex, calcium, iron, magnesium and fragarine. Across the world, red raspberry leaf is used to treat flu, loose stool, acne, lowering the blood sugar of diabetic women, regulate irregular menstrual cycles, decrease heavy periods and lowering blood pressure to name some of the most popular uses.

When taken during pregnancy, red raspberry leaf is believed to aid the mother’s immune system, ease morning sickness and promote better circulation. Taking raspberry leaf is said to strengthen uterine muscles and tone the pelvic floor in preparation for childbirth, as well as assisting with breast milk supply.

Studies have shown that women who take red raspberry leaf have a reduced incidence of birth interventions. Research has also found that women who drink red raspberry leaf tea regularly towards the end of their pregnancies had shorter second stages of labour than those who don’t. Yay!

Source: Study published by Australian midwives in 1999:

“The sample consisted of 108 mothers; 57 (52.8%) consumed raspberry leaf products while 51 (47.2%) were in the control group. The findings suggest that the raspberry leaf herb can be consumed by women during their pregnancy for the purpose for which it is taken, that is, to shorten labour with no identified side effects for the women or their babies. The findings also suggest ingestion of the drug might decrease the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. An unexpected finding in this study seems to indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group.”

Red Raspberry Leaf can be consumed by drinking a tea, herbal capsules, or tinctures (be careful these often contain alcohol)

You can have up to 4-5 cups of raspberry leaf tea in your third trimester, but have at least 2-3. If you’re in your first trimester, one cup per day is fine. Some providers and practitioners suggest that Red Raspberry Leaf can overstimulate the uterus in the first trimester and recommend waiting until mid 2nd trimester before consuming to reduce the risk of miscarriage.

If you prefer raspberry leaf tablets/capsules follow the recommended dosage…

Most women do not experience any side effects from taking raspberry leaf tea, however some women report some nausea and loose stool associated with red raspberry leaf, with the most reported side effect being an Increase in Braxton Hicks contractions (CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXPERIENCE STRONG BRAXTON HICKS, especially if you are before term)

Have previously had breast or ovarian cancer, fibroids or endometriosis

Have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, fibroids or endometriosis

Are expecting twins

Have any complications or health problems in your pregnancy

You should always tell your healthcare provider if you are planning to take red raspberry leaf during your pregnancy.

It is generally recommended not to start taking red raspberry leaf until you are at least 32 weeks pregnant, but if you wish to take it sooner, simply check with your doctor, midwife, or naturopath. You can then continue to take it until the end of the pregnancy.

Post Partum benefits: Red raspberry leaf during and after you give birth is known to help your uterus shrink back down, boost your immune system, assist with milk supply and fighting infection. Those who encapsulate their placentas often use red raspberry leaf in their herbal placenta blend.

I personally consumed red-raspberry leaf tea through my 2nd & third trimesters of my last 3 babies. During the early labor phase I could be seen brewing RRL tea, and sipping throughout my early labor, and again post partum. I think this herb doesn’t get enough props or attention as it is very valuable to the female reproductive system.This post is not medical advice and is not a substitute for seeing your health care provider.

N.C. Mortality rate for infants who never made it to their 1st birthday increased in 2012 for the second year in a row. Of those deaths, 182 were congenital malformations/deformations/ chromosome abnormalities, 210 died from prematurity or low birth weight…..
Surgeon General’s Warning specifically declares smoking dangerous and a contributor to birth defects, prematurity, and mortality.
There are quit-smoking programs in the community available with tools, resources and incentives to help you make a healthy decision for you and your baby. Contact your local health department for more information!

All birth experiences are unique, no two are alike, although some mothers of subsequent babies recognize similarities between births of their children. A Christian Birth is a birth experience which is completely unique and related to the Mother’s Faith walk.

It is an intentionally acknowledgement of the God-given blessing, and value of human life and of the familiy.

Recognition of the spiritual nature of conception, pregnancy and birth, and it’s significance.

Completely in trust and alignment with God and His will, trusting His design of the woman’s body to give birth.

Relying on God’s strength and comfort, whatever the circumstances.

Through the heart of her experiences and training, Willow strives to surround the mother and family with Godly love, fellowship, support, and encouragement, a gentle presence to remind them of the hope and purpose God has in their lives as they journey into parenthood for their first or 8th time.

Contact me: 828-676-9072 to arrange a meet & greet interview, and discover if Willow Christian Birth Services are right for you….

We’ve all been there….. The crying, fussing, irritability and “no body sleeps if baby isn’t sleeping” of a baby teething…Baltic Amber, worn as a necklace or anklet or bracelet can mean a big difference for most babies who naturally experience the pain of cutting those pearly whites. Not only does it work, but it’s a really cute hipster trending fashion for your baby that moms everywhere are swearing by,
So how does it work?

Amber is as old as time itself, an ancient remedy that is still boasted and bragged upon by modern alternative medicine practitioners today. It is known as a natural remedy for a variety of things including joint pain, arthritis, teething pain, and more…. It’s a natural analgesic alternative. Hippocrates (460-377 BC), father of medicine, in his works described medicinal properties and methods of application of Baltic amber that were later used by scientists until the Middle Ages. In ancient Rome Baltic amber was used as medicine and as a protection against different diseases. Calistratus famous physician of those times, wrote that amber protects from madness, powder of amber mixed with honey cures throat, ear and eye diseases and taken with water cures stomach illnesses. Pliny the Younger noted that Roman peasant women wore amber medallions not only as adornments, but also as a remedy for “swollen glands and sore throat and palate.” Persian scientist Ibn Sina (Avicenna) called amber remedy for many diseases. There was a belief in eastern countries that amber smoke strengthens human spirit and gives courage. In Asian countries “amber syrup”, a mixture of succinic acid and opium, was used as a tranquilizer and antispasmodic. It’s use continued by physicians through the Middle Ages and later into the present day 21st Century for various conditions. As late as before World War II, especially in Germany,Baltic amber beads were put on babies to make the eruption of teeth less painful and make the teeth grow stronger.

Baltic Amber contains succinic acid. A powerful anti oxidant that helps fight toxic free radicals and disruptions of the cardiac rhythm, succinic acid has been shown to stimulate neural system recovery and bolster the immune system, and help compensate for energy drain in the body and brain, boosting awareness, concentration and reflexes, and reducing stress. Baltic amber contains 3-8% of succinic acid, a scientifically examined medical substance used in contemporary medicine. The highest content of the acid is found in the amber cortex–the external layer of the stone. There is much documentation regarding the power of succinic acid. Albert The Great, born in 1193 who later became a Dominican monk, called Natural Baltic Amber “Succinium” and stated that it was the most effective medicine of the time followed by other substances such as ocastoreum, mors, camphor, tartarus, and aurum. People of that time also made amber tinctures from beer, wine and water and declared them effective against everything from stomach aches to rheumatism. Recent scientific research has also proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human organism. It strengthens the body, improves immunity, the course of energy-related processes and the balance of acids. Succinic acid was analyzed by the pioneer of modern bacteriology, the Nobel Prize winner, Robert Kock (1886), who confirmed its positive influence and discovered that there is no risk of the accumulation of surplus amounts of succinic acid in the human organism, even after the introduction of considerable amounts into the body.

The benefits of Amber are great, and the countless recorded praises for its use in teething pain and joint paint speak for its usefulness. It’s natural, has no known side effects, and worked better for my kids than the homeopathic tablets, and other various options I tried. It works quickly and lasts as long as the baby continues to be exposed to the amber. I used both the necklaces and the anklets depending on the situation, and both worked great. Before using Baltic Amber my babies wouldn’t sleep through the night without Tylenol because of the pain caused by teething. They would fuss and cry often. When they were wearing their Amber necklace or anklet, I was amazed how much happier they were all the time and sleeping through the night so comfortably. Yay for tired mommy! I highly recommend trying Baltic Amber jewelry for your baby.

If you are interested, I recommend you check out your local mommy baby natural stores (I try to encourage shopping local)(Littlest Birds In Asheville, NC has them) or check out online : https://www.balticcreations.net This lady is a super sweet mama, who makes stunning Baltic Amber (she has made several for me) and natural healing gemstone jewelry. There are also additional sellers on Etsy. (Pictured below is from Baltic Creations)

With the rise of Shaken Baby Syndrome which kills on average 1-4 babies in the United States daily mortality and thousands injured yearly, I believe it is important for the birth support team and hospitals to acknowledge that not enough is being done to educate parents on how to prevent such tragic events. This is why more hospitals need Doula’s on staff, to help the parents in initial bonding and education of techniques or tricks on baby care and soothing… I believe a DOULA’s role isn’t just birth, but also in service of transitioning to parenthood..

Helping Baby Clay An Arden mother of four is using the power of social media to help another local mom and her son, through the power of prayer. It’s an effort going viral on Facebook for an infant still in a coma. The baby is a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. The page is called Prayers For A Hendersonville Baby Boy. It’s dedicated to 6-month-old Clay. His mother’s boyfriend, Justin Pate, was babysitting him and is charged with felony child abuse. Willow Arnold says she was heartbroken when she learned about the case and used Facebook to contact baby Clay’s family. She says social media is working. “The mother does see this, the family does, it really touches their heart to see the community crying out to them and saying, you know, we understand and we’re praying, ” said Willow Arnold. If you’d like to get involved with prayer or make a donation, click here.